Planning first holiday after bereavement - overwhelmed

[SchrodingersKitty]

I'd really welcome some advice about planning a UK holiday in early July. This will be the first break for me and DS (22) since DH died in 2020. We'll be travelling by train so want to find somewhere no more than a 15 minute taxi or bus journey from a station. We want to be by the sea and are looking for somewhere with good walking, sea swimming, and views, with a reasonable number of good eating places and some food shops in walking distance and ideally some interesting history. Keen to avoid huge crowds.

We're in Sussex. I've been looking at the south coast of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. I'm going round in circles and getting rather overwhelmed.

An added complication is that for this first break I really want to avoid places we've been in the past with DH, which rules out Lyme Regis (which would otherwise be ideal), the bit of the Cornish coast around Noss Mayo, Corfe Castle and Durdle Door.

Any recommendations really gratefully received!

@FiveGoMadInDorset I'm so sorry for your loss also. I remember your name - I think we may have been on some of the same terminal illness threads.

I'm definitely considering the Channel Islands. Is it easy to find safer beaches? - not keen to be battling with rip tides and the like.

We always have a car when we're there but it's quite accessible from Par station I think. Par also links into other places further 'down' Cornwall. Fowey is just so beautiful. My favourite place.

I'm sorry for your loss. Is north Wales too far? It's beautiful and the different language makes it feel further away.

Sorry for your loss. I see that quite a few of your questions relate to the accessibility of places. Can I point you in the direction of rome2rio - it's really useful if you're trying to work out public transport connections. I use it a lot when trying to avoid planes - there are usually clicky links to providers so you can check times etc but I've found it reliable.

Hi there - there is a bus between Totnes and Dartmouth but I think it's only about one every two hours. Not exactly regular! Might go more often in the summer though. It's the number 92. V cheap. Like £3 or something.

The steamer is a great way to travel though is definitely set up as a cruise rather than a speedy 'transfer'. It's a 90 minute wander up the river with a slapstick commentary of the local sights on either shore. Actually quite funny in parts. But if you timed it properly you could def use the boat to get to Dartmouth at the start of your holiday, yes. Would be the perfect entree to darty!! There's also the steam train to Paignton but that is real candyfloss territory. And doesn't actually get you where you'd want to be...

There are local taxi firms in Dartmouth (Maggie used to run it don't know if she still does) who will be there at totnes to pick you up if you call them in advance.

Would Weymouth be too close to Lyme? The train station is very central, the big harbour wall means swimming is good (and there are very active sea swimming groups), lovely walking and so on

Not that many steamers as it all depends on the tide - so you'd have to work around your train timetable and your actual dates in July. Meant to add that earlier.

Still would say it's worth it when you get there though! And closer than Fowey...

Whereabouts vaguely are you in Sussex? Westish or eastish? London end or coastal parts?

@SchrodingersKitty i think we were at some point

We only did the pools as didn’t have time for the beaches, but a quick google has brought up some gorgeous swimming ones and I am sure there are some Guernsey MNers who can point you in the right direction

Dartmouth
Brixham

I wouldn’t discount Wales. No rainier than the SW of England. Tenby is stunning.

Yes - Rome2rio is fantastic!

Agree with pp's who mentioned Isle of Wight. Its so lovely there, and not a difficult journey for you and DCs. They'll love it and so will you.

Wherever you end up going, have a brilliant time💐

Would you consider a train north? There are some amazing beaches and walks in northumberland x

Thanks all - so helpful. And thanks from Rome2Rio suggestion - I have been using it, but nothing beats local knowledge!

Eurostar then TGV down to Collioure on the South coast of France. It's a small town with plenty to do and right on a quiet (pebbly) beach and easy walking distance to a huge sandy beach. It's a beautiful place. Does get too busy in high season so if you can avoid the peak that would be better.

IOW or Dorset - Poole, Weymouth, Sandbanks, would be perfect. Enjoy.

My DD is currently living in Gurnsey, you can fly direct from London or Southampton, or ferry from Poole or Portsmouth.
If you want any info give me a shout and I can ask her.

Sorry about your DH,

You can get to Looe in South East Cornwall by train. It's on a pretty branch line from Plymouth. Lovely cliff path walk to Polperro and a big sandy beach.

I was quite surprised by how much I liked Torquay and it seems to tick a lot of boxes for you?

That said I'll pop another vote in for Guernsey. So beautiful, lovely beaches and really easy to get to and around.

Focusing more on the logistics, I would get train to York and then train across to Whitby. Whitby station is central and then you are a short taxi to any accommodation. Whitby is rubbish in a car anyway and great on foot. Then you can bus to other areas of interest from there. So sorry for the loss of your dh.

Falmouth? Lots of ferry trips, buses and a train?

I am seeing flights from Gatwick to Jersey on Easyjet for under £50 most days in July. I seem to remember that you can fly from Southampton/Bournemouth if that is easier to get to.

Accommodation is less plentiful, but that translates to fairly quiet beaches! We were there last summer.

The bus network is excellent. Otherwise we could have hired e-bikes or cars on the Evie app.

Is flying completely out?
I ask because if you can train it to a suitable airport, there are nice budget places in the Canaries within a short bus ride of the airport, and you can book onto a coach tour (or use the local bus network) to get the fix of culture and history. And the sea swimming and weather are pretty reliable.
Before I went I thought the Canaries would be loud and brimming with timeshare salesman and all concrete skyscrapers, but what I found was very different - relaxed, beautiful, interesting history, pretty towns.

North Norfolk Coast/Suffolk. I have dipped in which is why I would like to go back - it wasnt on your list to avoid.

Also the Isle of Wight - just lovely.

Clearly avoid school hols.

Sorry for your loss

Train to Penzance, swim in the lido
Visit St Michael's Mount
There are buses too
Ferry to Scily Isles ?

Thanks all. I finally booked the north Norfolk coast very close to the beach. Hope it's as good as it looks. Some great suggestions here that I'll definitely be following up for subsequent holidays.